We never had many appliances or crockery growing up, so chucking everything in one bowl was the normal thing to do. Of course there was method to this. Follow the instructions and you too will enjoy serving this moist delicious cake. Decorate it to suit any occasion.

Combine the sifted flour, custard powder, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and sugar with the butter, milk, eggs and vanilla in a bowl and mix on medium speed for 8 minutes. Spoon into a greased and lined 20cm round cake pan.

Bake in a moderate oven 180°C for 1 hour or until cooked when tested. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before turning out of pan to cool completely.

Sift together the icing sugar and extra cocoa. Stir in the butter and enough hot water to make a thick icing. Ice the cake and decorate with chocolate curls. Store in an airtight container until required.